CARAVAN CAPERS: MY CHRISTMAS PRESENT FROM ROY - FOUR DAY BREAK ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

What a super surprise Christmas present from Roy, booked last August, a Back to the 60s & 70s Winter Warmer Festival at Warner Norton Grange, Isle of Wight. 4 nights half board plus Free Bar!

Eat and drink as much as you like and dance the night away - possibly !

We left the day before and stayed the night in Lyndhurst in the New Forest, hoping the foggy weather improved. Next day before we got the 2pm ferry from Lymington we drove to Bournemouth and spent a lovely time with Roys stepmother. We had not seen her for about 4 years, before Roy's Dad died.

We arrived at Norton Grange in Yarmouth and got settled into our chalet (or shed as the compere called it) Very cosy and had all we needed.

Our first evening meal was delicious, great choice despite the company saying it was a reduced menu. So very well organised in sittings and all individual tables.

Evening entertainment was great and we were late to bed.

Our walk on Wednesday was in glorious sunshine, drove to Freshwater Bay and did a 7 mile walk to Alum Bay, to the Needles and back along the coastal path passing Tennyson Monument where there was some sort of rescue going on. Police, Coastal rescue but no one would say what had happened but they hadn't rescued anyone as we walked by. Back to the car park in Freshwater Bay and the ambulance arrived. We will watch the news to see what it was.

A wonderful first day. And why is it when you update to windows 11 do they alter all settings. These photos are in reverse order! I hate technology!

Freshwater Bay

heading towards end of our walk

the rescue guys

Tennyson Monument

The Needles

Alum Bay

Needles from Alum Bay

Start of walk

Day 2 walk

After a foggy start we arrived at Niton to start our walk in glorious sunshine which stayed all day.

A 6 mile circular walk, mud and more mud to start which improved as we gained height at St Catherine's Oratory. down to the coastal path and lunch overlooking the calm sea and St Catherine's lighthouse then back to Niton. A lovely day,

DISTANT VIEW OF THE NEEDLES

ROY ON WAY TO ORATORY WITH THESE STRANGE WHITE STRANDS ON GRASS AND BLOWING ABOUT EVERYWHERE

ST CATHERINES ORATORY AND ROY

ORATORY AND ANNE

LUNCH LOOKING AT THE LIGHTHOUSE, SO SUNNY AND WARM

ST CATHERINE'S LIGHTHOUSE

Last day we drove to Brading and had a muddy walk along Brading RSPB Marsh to Bembridge Harbour then to Bembridge Windmill and back along Bembridge Marsh. Sunshine all day again. How lucky have we been in January! Back to the carpark to find a puncture on front driver side. My amazing man got it sorted and we just got back in time for dinner.

This has been a wonderful surprise, with great music each evening and dancing till late.